Just blocks here from the U.S. Capitol and the White House, the Global Catholic Climate Movement, Franciscan Action Network and others are on day four of a 10-day fast for action to keep global warming below 1.5 degree Celsius. The fast will end with the beginning of a Day of Atonement celebration and overnight vigil that will culminate with Pope Francis’ address to Congress on Sept. 24.

On a recent Saturday, members of the local Franciscan Earth Corps stocked shelves and cleaned storage rooms at a food pantry. In early March, the group will screen “Triple Divide,” a documentary about hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. Later this spring, they'll put up bluebird boxes at a retreat center.

And once a month, they'll gather to talk about Franciscan spirituality.